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Hall of Fame RB LaDainian Tomlinson was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday, March 30, as a special assistant to the owner. He'll focus on fans and the community, and he'll remain an analyst with the NFL Network.

Indianapolis Colts RB Trent Richardson plans on spending the offseason studying the playbook and learning the system. "Learn the system, not just memorizing it," Richardson said. "Learning the whole concept of the system. There's a difference between having it memorized and feeling comfortable with the system. I'm going talk to a lot of veteran players, talk to Adrian (Peterson), talk to (LaDainian Tomlinson), talk to Emmitt Smith to make sure I'm the best I need to be next year."

San Diego Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said Tuesday, April 30, that retired RB LaDainian Tomlinson is in great shape, and he asked about the former Chargers' running back's availability. "You couldn't help but think about it," Telesco said.

One reason the San Diego Chargers never won a Super Bowl with former NFL RB LaDainian Tomlinson was because of Tomlinson's selfish attitude, according to a source with knowledge of the running back's career. "That's why the Chargers could never win the big one," the source said. "L.T. was selfish and a selfish leader. They had all the talent in the world and should have beaten the Patriots (in 2006), but they couldn't do it because they had too many guys like L.T. and he was the ringleader."

Former NFL RB LaDainian Tomlinson said he would rather be a Hall of Fame player without a Super Bowl ring than a Super Bowl champion without a place in Canton, Ohio. "I feel like you've got to sacrifice so much individually just to be good," Tomlinson said. "Now, they draft you individually, and you've got to back them up and make them right. I think at the end of the day, even though I didn't win a Super Bowl ring, I felt like I backed them up for drafting me. I backed the San Diego Chargers up for picking me with the fifth pick (in 2001)." Tomlinson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Retired RB LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers) said Saturday, June 23, that he considered continuing his career with the Denver Broncos. "The only team I really gave a thought to was the Broncos, because of (QB Peyton Manning)," Tomlinson said. "We talked. (Tomlinson's agent Tom Condon) talked with them. It made me pause a little (and think), 'Was this what I really wanted to do?' I said, 'They got Peyton, they have a good defense already; they went deep into the playoffs with (QB Tim Tebow), what are they going to do with Peyton?' I seriously thought about it."

Tomlinson, 32, ranks fifth all time with 13,684 yards rushing and second with 145 rushing touchdowns. The 2006 NFL MVP scored 162 total touchdowns during his career, which ranks third all-time. He won the rushing title in 2006 and '07.

San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers said he would have no issue if free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson (Jets) were to return to the team as a third-down back. "I love LT and all that he brought and meant to us when he was here. I don't know if that is being considered or that's even an option, but I wouldn't have any objection to it whatsoever," Rivers said. The Chargers, however, are unlikely to bring Tomlinson back.

Free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson (Jets) said he is still open to resuming his football career; however he has yet to generate much interest in the open market. "Obviously, I'm a free agent and I'm still open to playing," Tomlinson said. "I am just taking my time through this free agency stuff just continuing to explore my options and make a decision here on my future depending on my options, so I'm excited about the future either way it goes if I continue to play or if I don't."

San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said the team is not considering bringing free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson (Jets) back into the fold. The team also isn't interested in free-agent WR Kassim Osgood. "No. We have moved on years ago," Smith said. "We wish him the very best in his search for the team he feels is the best fit for him. We are looking at four backs right now but we may slow down that search a little bit. I know (Jets coach) Rex Ryan has said some great things about L.T. the last couple years. I would think he would bring him back."

New York Jets impending free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson said if the team were to sign free-agent QB Peyton Manning (Colts), QB Mark Sanchez would ask to play elsewhere. "I think he would probably go in and maybe ask to be released," Tomlinson said. "Because here is Mark Sanchez's gripe: 'I took you guys to two straight AFC Championship Games; yeah I didn't get it done last year, but my first and second year I took you to two AFC Championship Games. How can you turn around and just bring in another quarterback right now?' Rightfully so, he would be a little mad. That's all a part of it. But at the same time, if he could grow up a little bit and try to learn from somebody like Peyton Manning, then maybe in a couple of years – two or three years – if they did decide to go with Peyton Manning, he could learn from that and then also be the quarterback again."

New York Jets impending free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson said the team's locker room turmoil this season was "as bad as I've ever been around." Tomlinson called QB Mark Sanchez "pampered" and said that was the wish of head coach Rex Ryan. "It got out of hand toward the end of the season," Tomlinson said. "That is why it got out in the media. This is something that happened (in the) third or fourth week of the season, that was going on, and nobody knew about it because the players kept it under wraps. Until we went on that losing streak and guys started to speak up and speak out about certain things."

New York Jets impending free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson suggested Sunday, Jan. 15, during a television interview with ESPN that the team's "receivers" could be responsible for the anonymous bashing of QB Mark Sanchez. "I think some things that happened in the locker room between (Sanchez) and the receivers, I think that's where this is coming from - some of the disconnects that happened throughout the year, maybe some of the arguments you guys heard about throughout the year," Tomlinson said. "So I think this is where it may be coming from."

New York Jets impending free-agent RB LaDainian Tomlinson vouched for QB Mark Sanchez's work ethic; however, Tomlinson believes Sanchez would benefit from some competition at the position. "There's a lot of things you can say about Mark Sanchez, but to call him lazy is a bit much," Tomlinson said. "This is a guy that has worked very hard off the field, in the film room. I've seen it - in the weight room, putting in extra time with the coaches early in the morning, after practice when everybody is gone. He's putting in time, so he's not lazy." The Jets have said Sanchez will be their starter in 2012, but general manager Mike Tannenbaum said they will evaluate the quarterback position as a whole, indicating they may bring in a backup to push Sanchez.

New York Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson is now seriously considering calling it quits now that his team's season has ended. "I am contemplating retirement," Tomlinson said. "That's what I told my coaches and told my agent and everybody. That's exactly what it is. This is the first time in my playing career that I've actually honestly thought about this may be it for me. That's kind of where I am right now." Tomlinson will be a free agent in 2012.

New York Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson has acknowledged that the team's Week 17 game could be his last as a professional. He would like to continue playing next season but isn't sure how it will shake out with him being a free agent. Tomlinson is open for playing with a team other than the Jets.

New York Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who will become a free agent at the end of the season, understands he may be playing his last home game with the team in Week 16. "When it's the last year on your deal, you always think about it potentially being your last time playing here, at your stadium," Tomlinson said. "And that's something that I've thought about this week."

New York Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson (knee) said the team's plan was for him to be fresh for a late-season push for the playoffs. Last year, it was RB Shonn Greene (rib) who carried the load through the waning months of the team's season. But this time around, their roles could be reversed, with Tomlinson taking more of the carries down the stretch. "That was pretty much the game plan for the year was to keep me fresh down the stretch and possibly increase my workload," Tomlinson said. "So, I am fresh and feeling good and so the coaches have that option if they want to use me more."

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said RB LaDainian Tomlinson (knee) is more toward the doubtful side of questionable for Week 12. Tomlinson did not practice at all this week because he suffered a setback after working out Monday, Nov. 21.